Mrs A Weekes (Chair), Mr R Drew (Vice Chair), Mr M Bendle, Mr J Blackmore, Mr R Brown, Mr J Kidner, Mr N King, Mrs D Evans (Parish Clerk), District Councillor S Clist and members of the public.

Apologies County Councillor Ray Radford

None declared.

PROPOSAL:  The council minutes of the meeting of 15^th March are approved.

PROPOSED:  Mr Kidner

SECONDED:  Mr King

DECISION: passed (all in favour)

Nothing to report.

17.1    Plans for the coronation event are progressing.  A meeting will be held next week to finalise matters.  Casey Blackmore will liaise with Erica with regard to the cakes.

PROPOSAL:  The council will reimburse Mrs C Blackmore for costs associated with children’s tea party.

PROPOSED:   Mr Drew

SECONDED:   Mr King

DECISION: passed (all in favour)

Nothing to report.

6.1       23/00488/CLU.  Certificate of lawfulness to establish the lawful commencement of

development of conversion of barn to dwelling and construction of new vehicular access as approved by planning permission 18/01284/FULL.  Middleton Mill Farm, Clayhidon.

PROPOSAL:  The council is content with the application.

PROPOSED:   Mr King

SECONDED:   Mr Drew

DECISION: passed (all in favour)

6.2        23/00344/HOUSE.  Erection of a side extension.  Jacks House, Luppitt.

PROPOSAL:  The council is content with the application.

PROPOSED:   Mr King

SECONDED:   Mr Brown

DECISION: passed (all in favour)

7.1       Income and expenditure

INCOME

EXPENDITURE  

1 already paid, to be ratified.

BANK RECONCILIATION

 PROPOSAL:  The expenditure is agreed and the above cheques/payments are paid/agreed.

PROPOSED:   Mrs Weekes

SECONDED:   Mr King

DECISION: passed (all in favour)

8.1       The clerk explained that Highways have refused to pay anything towards the labour costs for mending the potholes.  This is contrary to the information contained on the Devon County Council website ‘Highway Maintenance Community Enhancement Fund (HMCEF)’ and in the terms and conditions of the HMCEF. Clerk will complain to County Councillor Radford.

8.2       Smeatharpe Hall Committee has asked if the pc wishes to appoint a representative to their hall committee.  The pc politely declines this offer.

Clerk

Clerk

Councillor Radford sent his apologies.

Councillor Clist reported that:-

MDDC has exceeded its tree planting target.  The Bin-it 123 – since waste collections changed to three-weekly, the district’s recycling rate has risen to 57%, compared to 52% the previous year. The Council has also sent out several hundred extra recycling containers, showing the public’s desire to recycle more.  The change to the collection service was introduced to benefit the district in the following ways: to reduce its carbon footprint, increase recycling rates, increase the amount of food waste collected and decrease the amount of non-recyclable waste collected.  The number of homeless people in the district has increased.  MDDC has completed its comments on the National Planning Policy Framework consultation.  The section 515 officer is lobbying government for extra funding to ensure the books are balanced.

Due to changes in VAT for leisure centres, MDDC has submitted a VAT reclaim for over £2.9m to the government.  Following the upcoming election, the new scrutiny committee will be looking at, amongst other matters:- work for women, sewerage in rivers and enforcement.

11.1     The white lines at many junctions in the parish need repainting.  Many potholes are the result of water running on roads.  Clerk was instructed to invite Highway Neighbourhood Officer, Dan Wood, to visit the parish. Mr Bendle and Mr Blackmore will show him the problem areas.

11.2     Mr Houghton, the parish lengthsman, will continue as before, working on usual problems on the roads.  The pc needs to review the effectiveness of the pothole project before deciding if it wishes to attempt to fill any more.

11.3     Mrs Weekes will raise potholes and the general state of the roads with the parish network.

Clerk

AW

The footpaths in the parish are in a good state.  We await news from Devon County with regard to this year’s grant.

Nothing to report.

Nothing to report.

Nothing to report.

Nothing to report.

Nothing to report.

19.1     The tree from the Saving Devon’s Treescape project is in a pot and being cared for by Mr Brown.  It will be planted out in the autumn (location to be confirmed).

Annual Meeting of the council Monday 15^th May at 7.30pm.